The cabinet approved the draft law on regulating the Egyptian Meteorological Authority (EMA) during its meeting in the New Administrative Capital.

The draft law imposes the same fine on establishing and operating meteorological stations, or weather forecast centres, without obtaining a licence from the authority, the cabinet said in a statement.

Also, those issuing any meteorological data, information, reports, or studies and falsely attribute them to the EMA will be fined, the statement said.

Purchasing meteorological equipment or stations that do not meet the technical specifications approved by the authority and that are bought without the EMA's consent is punishable by the same fine, according to the statement.

In this regard, the court will issue orders to confiscate the equipment and tools used to commit the crime and hand them to the EMA, the statement added.

The draft law gives the EMA the authority to provide all forms of meteorological services on the local, regional, and international levels and the authority to give permits or approvals for activities in the field.

The EMA will also work on ensuring the private sector’s contribution in providing and spreading meteorological services.